Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) was established by the Korean government in 1962 to promote Korea as a tourist destination. The organization's main objective initially was to attract tourists from other countries in Asia but soon expanded over the Pacific Ocean a decade later. The Los Angeles branch became the first branch in North America in 1974, with branches being established in New York and Toronto soon after. KTO LA's main objective is to interact with the media, tour operators, travel agents, meeting planners, and other organizations in the Korean community to promote tourism to Korea. The Los Angeles office handles marketing and other promotional activities in 13 states in the western United States.